A Message from the City Manager | |
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Dear Yorba Linda Community,
Welcome to the most wonderful time of year! The holidays are upon us, which means some of our best opportunities for connection and celebration are happening right now between family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and faith communities. With parties and gatherings taking place all over Yorba Linda, we join you in celebrating the accomplishments of our residents, local businesses and community organizations, and City departments that have contributed to the continued success and exceptionalism of Yorba Linda.
This last year has been filled with many accomplishments and important milestones for the City, such as the exciting reopening of Adventure Playground, several community meetings focused on wildfire safety and home security, and extensive public outreach regarding the 2021-2029 Housing Element (which you can learn more about in an article below). We have worked hard to provide the best and most exceptional facilities and services to the community, and we look forward to doing so again in 2024.
Of course, what makes Yorba Linda so great is its community, and by staying engaged and connected, you make this City shine brighter. I encourage you to take a moment to explore the stories and updates in this edition, and I hope they inspire a sense of pride and connection to this wonderful community we call home. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a happy new year!
Best regards,
Mark Pulone
City Manager
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City Council Appoints New Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
At the December 5, 2023 City Council Meeting, the City Council appointed a new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem to serve a one-year term. The City of Yorba Linda is pleased to announce the reorganization of the Yorba Linda City Council as follows:
- Tara Campbell, Mayor
- Dr. Beth Haney, Mayor Pro Tem
- Janice Lim, Council Member
- Carlos Rodriguez, Council Member
- Gene Hernandez, Council Member
To learn more about the Yorba Linda City Council and their meetings, please visit the City's website.
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City Council Meeting Recap
Want to learn more about the decisions and actions of the Yorba Linda City Council? The latest City Council meeting recap is now available online. These recaps briefly summarize the City Council's activities until the official minutes are adopted (generally at the next meeting). In addition, City Council Meeting agendas and minutes from previous meetings are available on the Agendas and Minutes page on the City's website.
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Yorba Linda Police Services Debuts New Safe Exchange Zone
The City of Yorba Linda is now home to a Safe Exchange Zone, a secure place to meet up to trade private property or conduct e-commerce transactions (think Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc.). Two parking stalls at the Yorba Linda Police Services Substation have been designated for the program, where 24/7 video surveillance provides extra security and peace of mind. A very special thank you to Chairman Don Wagner from the OC Board of Supervisors for working with OC Sheriff Don Barnes to bring this safe exchange zone to Yorba Linda.
The Safe Exchange Zone is located at 20994 Yorba Linda Boulevard.
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Last Call for Holiday Decorating Contest Entries
This holiday season, the City of Yorba Linda is on a mission to crown the best-decorated homes in Yorba Linda. Whether you are bursting with holiday spirit and plan to go “full Clark Griswold” or are aiming for something a little more understated -- it’s time to untangle the light strings, patch up the inflatables, and submit an entry into Yorba Linda’s second annual Holiday Decorating Contest.
All nominations will be added to our interactive Holiday Decoration Map. So even if you don't think you'll win -- we still want your nomination so we can spread holiday cheer all over town by sharing your home with the whole community.
Contest entries are due by Monday, December 11, so we have enough time to judge the entries and create the community map. Learn more and submit an entry on the City's website.
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Library's Food for Fines Program Returns
The Library's Food for Fines canned food drive is back! Now through December 16, library patrons can make an online donation through a link on the Library's website or bring canned food to the Library to pay for fines (excluding lost or damaged items). All donations benefit the Community Action Partnership of Orange County Food Bank. For more information on the program, please visit the Library's website.
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Holidays on the Paseo
Wednesday, December 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The entire family is invited to join the City of Yorba Linda for this magical holiday event. Take in the sparkling lights along the paseo as you decorate cookies, sip hot cocoa, and make crafts. Plus, enjoy the joyful sounds of holiday music. This event is located on the Yorba Linda Public Library and Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center campus. For more information, contact the Cultural Arts Center at 657-242-4660.
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City Facilities Closed for Winter Holidays
Happy holidays! In observance of the winter holidays, the City of Yorba Linda will be observing a modified holiday schedule. Yorba Linda City Hall, the Yorba Linda Public Library, and all recreation facilities (excluding Black Gold) will be:
Closed Monday, December 25 to Monday, January 1, 2023; and
Reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2023.
Please note that City Hall is also closed on Friday, December 22. For more information and to view important contact information, please visit the City's website.
Additionally, trash collection will not occur on Monday, December 25, and Monday, January 1. Service will run one day behind schedule for both weeks.
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City Council Advances Resident-Driven Housing Element
On December 5th, the Yorba Linda City Council reviewed revisions to the 2021-2029 Housing Element proposed by the Housing Policy Resident Working Group.
After discussing the proposed revisions and hearing additional public comments, the City Council unanimously voted to advance the draft 2021-2029 Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for a compliance review with State housing laws. It is anticipated that HCD will complete its review by early Spring 2024. If approval is granted, the City will take this effort through an extensive community engagement and public hearing process in late Spring 2024 to begin the action of formally adopting the Housing Element and its accompanying General Plan Amendments and Zoning Code Amendments. Ultimately, in November 2024, Yorba Linda voters will decide any major zoning changes in accordance with Yorba Linda’s Right-to-Vote Amendment (also known as "Measure B").
To learn more about the City Council’s advancement of the Housing Element, view the full article.
For further information on the Housing Element and to stay engaged, visit YLLocalControl.com or contact YLHousingElement@yorbalindaca.gov
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City Publishes Online Budget Book
The City of Yorba Linda is committed to conducting business in a transparent and open manner so that residents can trust that City leaders are operating to the highest ethical standards. Our budget book, which provides an easy-to-use and engaging version of our annual budget publication detailing the City's two-year budget for Fiscal Years 2023/24 and 2024/25 and the seven-year Capital Improvement Project, is now live on the City's website. The budget book offers detailed information in an accessible package so the community can understand the purpose of different departments and divisions, the City's goals and priorities, and how funds are allocated to meet those objectives. We invite the community to take a look and learn more about our exceptional organization by visiting our website.
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City Welcomes Feedback for Active Transportation Plan
The neighboring cities of Yorba Linda and Placentia, along with the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, are partnering to develop a comprehensive Active Transportation Plan. The ATP will incorporate needed pedestrian and bicycle improvements, Safe Routes to School plans, and an updated Master Plan of Trails (including equestrian trails). This bi-city ATP is needed to add and connect infrastructure for safer, more accessible walking, biking, and riding for school children, families, residents, and visitors.
Your involvement is important. Please share your thoughts on walking, bicycling, rolling, and horseback riding in Yorba Linda and Placentia and identify key destinations in the community. Share your feedback through our online map or join us at one of our upcoming community meetings in January 2024. Comments are due by January 31, 2024.
To learn more, visit the project website.
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LMAD Builds Pollinator Garden in Dominguez Ranch
The City's Landscape Maintenance Assessment District (LMAD) staff is excited to share about their recent installation of a pollinator garden located at the trailhead on Dominguez Ranch Road, just south of Pablo Road. The project removed approximately 965 square feet of water-intensive turf and inefficient spray head irrigation. Staff replaced the overhead irrigation system with a more efficient drip irrigation system which delivers water directly to the rootball and is expected to reduce water use by 40%.
The special plant palette for this project consists of commonly known plant species, like California Buckwheat and Milkweed, that will attract and support pollinators in different stages of their lifecycle. The plants were selected to attract a large butterfly population by providing food, shelter for eggs, and support for caterpillars and the chrysalis. The blooming plants will provide nectar at different times of year, assisting our very important bee population.
The project also received a rebate from the Municipal Water District of Orange County to help offset the renovation costs. To qualify for the turf removal grant, the design required a water retention basin. When entering the trailhead, community members will notice a grouping of decorative rocks and boulders that also serve a functional role by collecting rainwater runoff and allowing it to percolate into the water table below the ground. Our LMAD staff hope that this project will provide pollinators and residents with many years of enjoyment.
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Bastanchury Widening Reaches Halfway Mark
Construction of the Bastanchury Road Widening Project between Casa Loma and Eureka avenues is now halfway to completion. Check out our video highlighting recent progress on the City's Facebook or Instagram accounts.
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Important Dates for Christmas Tree Curbside Collection
Republic Services will begin accepting real Christmas trees curbside starting December 26 through January 9, 2023. In order for your tree to be accepted, please:
- Remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, ornaments, and tree stands;
- Cut trees taller than six feet into pieces, and place them next to or inside your yard waste/organics cart; and
- If possible, please cut all trees to fit inside the yard waste cart with the lid closed.
Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of in regular (black) trash bins. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection.
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Yorba Linda Police Services Shares Holiday Safety Tips
With the holiday season upon us, Yorba Linda Police Services is providing the following safety tips in an effort to keep you safe. We encourage residents to create a habit of securing valuables such as fine jewelry, firearms, and large amounts of cash when leaving home, whether for work, dinner in the evening, or vacation.
Finally, remember that you are our eyes and ears on the streets and in our community. To report an emergency or a crime in progress, please do not hesitate to dial 9-1-1. To report suspicious activity, dial our 24-hour non-emergency number at 714-647-7000 and select the option for Sheriff’s Dispatch.
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Sign up for Community Emergency Response Team Training
The Yorba Linda Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills. The goal of Yorba Linda CERT is to provide citizens with the basic skills to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors in the aftermath of a disaster. As a CERT volunteer, you can help by responding to the immediate needs of your neighborhood following an event when professional emergency responders are not immediately available to help.
The City's next CERT Training opportunity starts in March 2024. Mark the following dates on your calendar:
- Tuesday, March 5
- Thursday, March 7
- Tuesday, March 12
- Thursday, March 14
- Tuesday, March 19
To learn more or to register, please visit the CERT webpage, email Chris Peña, Emergency Management Coordinator, or call 714-961-7118.
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OCFA Reminds Community of Holiday Fire Safety Tips
Did you know that home electrical fires are responsible for approximately $1.3 billion in property damage each year? Decorate and heat your home safely by following the safety tips included in the Orange County Fire Authority's electrical fire safety, holiday fire safety, and home heating flyers and social media posts. To stay safe, please:
- Remove your tree promptly after the holidays;
- Use flameless candles and flame-resistant candleholders;
- Do not overload power strips; and
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from all heat sources.
For more safety tips and information, visit OCFA.org.
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Increased Coyote Sightings and Reporting
Encounters with coyotes are common in Yorba Linda due to our shared 19-mile northern wildlife interface with Chino Hills State Park and our southern boundary with the Santa Ana riverbed. Additionally, the City’s residential areas provide an abundance of water and food sources which encourage coyote habitation. Additionally, coyote sightings typically increase in the fall months during the dispersal season when young coyotes leave the family pack.
Typically, coyotes can coexist within the urban environment and will not affect our daily lives. The best way to minimize the nuisance and losses caused by urban coyotes is by being proactive in keeping coyotes at bay by following the helpful tips provided on the City’s Coyote Awareness webpage.
The general policy of the City of Yorba Linda, Orange County Animal Care, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is not to trap coyotes, as killing or relocating urban coyotes has proven to be ineffective over the long term.
The City does monitor coyote activity via reports made directly from residents, but it does not monitor social media platforms for coyote sightings. To report a coyote sighting or incident, please submit a Report a Coyote Sighting Form online.
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Be Mindful of the Environment When Working With Paint
With the new year just around the corner, many people will tackle projects around the house involving paint, but did you know that paint can cause significant damage to the environment if not properly disposed of? Whether you plan to hire a contractor or do it yourself, the City of Yorba Linda encourages residents to be mindful of the environment by following these tips when using, cleaning, storing, and disposing of paint:
- Never clean brushes or rinse paint containers in the street, gutter, or storm drain. Use as much paint on the brushes as possible for oil-based products and clean brushes with paint thinner. For water-based products, use as much of the paint on the brushes as possible, then rinse in the sink;
- Store paint in a dry location away from the elements. Firmly secure the lid and store paint cans upside down to prevent air from entering. This practice will keep the paint usable longer; and
- When disposing of paint, never put wet paint in the trash. For water-based paint, if possible, brush leftover paint on cardboard or newspaper. Otherwise, allow the paint to dry in the can with the lid off in a well-ventilated area protected from children, pets, and the elements. Large quantities of extra paint should be taken to our local hazardous household waste collection center at 1071 N. Blue Gum Street (Anaheim, CA 92806). Oil-based and aerosol paint should always be disposed of at the Anaheim Collection Center.
These tips are provided on behalf of the City's stormwater management program.
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Upcoming Community Events | |
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Holiday Break
All City facilities closed
Monday, December 25 to
Monday, January 1, 2024.
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Yorba Linda City Hall
4845 Casa Loma Avenue
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
714-961-7100
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